mental health

I have struggled with chronic, recurring major depression. So, I know firsthand that mental health issues can impact finances. In other words, mental health challenges not only cost us money, but they also affect how we deal with money. Different conditions can impact people’s saving and spending in their own unique ways. Awareness of those challenges can help us to manage our finances better, despite the challenges.

The Cost of Mental Health Issues

Before we delve into how each diagnosis affects a person’s experience of money, it’s worth noting that mental health issues, in general, affect people’s finances. Dealing with those challenges can be costly. In my case, I needed weekly therapy as well as medication to get through the worst of times. Whether or not you have health insurance, those costs can add up.

Moreover, I needed things that can’t quite be tallied up in exact dollars and cents. For example, I needed a strong support system, which meant that I needed to put in time with friends. Until I learned how to structure friend time around cheap and free events, I spent a decent amount of money on meals and movies together. I don’t regret the cost because it helped build the connections.

I also needed a healthier diet with a focus on nutritious foods. Again, I’ve found ways to cut those costs over time, but buying healthy foods started as an expensive adjustment. Nevertheless, it was wholly necessary for my mental health. In the beginning, I also needed regular yoga classes, because that was the only way I could get my body moving. These days I can do yoga at home and take walks for free, but in the worst periods of depression, I needed to pay for classes to motivate me to go.

Each person finds different things that they have to pay to have strong mental health. People with specific mental health challenges each need their unique combinations of treatments, resources, and quality-of-life purchases. For example, I don’t do well living with other people, so I have to find a way to afford to pay to live on my own. Other people are in the opposite boat; living with people saves them money but also helps their wellbeing. Each person is different, but there is no denying that there’s a financial cost to starting and maintaining mental health treatment.

How Depression Impacts Finances

Each mental health issue requires its own treatment. More than that, though, a specific issue can cause a person to deal with money in unique ways. It’s not just the cost of treatment; it’s that the condition affects one’s ability to earn, save, and spend money. Depression often particularly affects people’s ability to earn money. If you don’t feel like you can even get out of bed to take a shower, how are you going to drag yourself to a job? If you do manage that, how will you be productive once you are there? Many people with depression end up losing time at work or quitting work for a period of time all together because it’s just too hard.

How Unipolar Depression Impacts Finances

Depression isn’t just one condition. We’re learning more and more about this every day. For now, we at least understand that depression exists on a spectrum. At one end is ongoing major depression, also known as unipolar depression. At the other end is bipolar depression, previously called manic depression. There are many different forms of depression in the middle, each of which may impact finances in its own way.

When you think of a classic stereotype of depression, you’re thinking about unipolar depression. It’s characterized by a lack of interest in things and a constant “depressed” mood. Additional symptoms include changes in eating and sleeping (typically overeating and nighttime insomnia combined with daytime hypersomnia), inability to concentrate, and thoughts of suicide and death. Clearly, this kind of depression impacts your ability to earn money. If you don’t even want to live, how can you care about working? If you can’t concentrate or remember things, it’s pretty hard to be productive at work.

Often, people with depression will lose time at work. Not only does this impact earning, but it also impacts saving. I, personally, had to dig into my savings and get loans to be able to pay for my treatment and other needs. I was able to maintain part-time work, but I just wasn’t as productive as I am when I’m at my healthiest, and my depleted savings account reflected that at the time.

As for spending, depression didn’t drive me personally to change my spending much. However, it greatly impacted my emotions around spending. Depression eats away at self-esteem and provokes a lot of shame and mental rumination. I thought a lot about my spending, about my inability to earn well or save money, and most of my thoughts were self-shaming. Of course, that only worsens depression. It’s a bad cycle. I had to learn to be gentle with myself about money as part of my process of getting out of depression, which was the only way I could get back on track with earning and saving money.

How Bipolar Depression Impacts Finances

Bipolar depression is characterized by mania. There may be periods of depression, which can affect finances in the same way as unipolar depression does. However, there are also manic periods, during which a person might feel euphoric, giddy, or anxious. They may experience delusions of grandeur or get unrealistically excited about a major project.

Bipolar depression specifically affects spending. In manic phases, people may engage in impulsive, reckless behavior. Gambling, buying and using drugs, and binge shopping can all lead to financial ruin for people enmeshed in a manic period. Of course, when people are doing those things, it can also impact their job security, which could also affect earning money. Likewise, manic periods can cause problems in some housing situations, and changes in housing can have financial repercussions.

Some people don’t engage in obviously reckless behavior like this. However, their delusions of grandeur can lead to high spending. For example, someone who has a brilliant idea for a new invention might quit their job and take out a large loan to fund that idea. When the mania passes, the idea fades, and all of that spending was for naught.

People with both unipolar and bipolar depression may have disorganized finances. During depressive periods, it’s easy to become overwhelmed by money. Therefore, you might not want to deal with it at all. This can lead to failure to pay bills, using high-interest credit cards because you don’t want to deal with switching and other similar issues. In manic periods, you might just not care about that stuff, racking up bills without attending to paying them.

How Other Mental Health Issues Impact Finances

Depression is just one type of mental health issue. Each type affects finances in its own way. Some other examples include:

OCD can cause excess spending. For example, if you have contamination OCD (related to anxiety about germs), then you might use a bar of soap only once before replacing it with a new soap bar.

OCD can also lead to job loss. For example, if you have a detailed routine before leaving for work, then it can cause you to be late one time too many.

ADHD can lead to disorganization and procrastination with money matters.

Social anxiety sometimes causes spending on items or experiences to help a person feel like they “fit in.”

Research indicates that people with schizophrenia often have limited financial capacity, meaning that some may need assistance with money matters. One study found that 84% of people with schizophrenia say that their mental health issues cause problems with their finances.

People with hoarding disorders sometimes also have spending issues. In some cases, this is due to compulsive shopping. However, spending money on extra storage space is another big culprit.

People with substance abuse issues can have financial problems due to spending money on their addictions. In some cases, the lack of money can lead to theft and other financial crimes.

Of course, these are all just examples of how mental health issues might impact finances. Everyone’s symptoms are different, as well as how they handle those symptoms. Someone with major depression, OCD, or another condition can still hold a successful high-powered job. Just because you have mental health issues doesn’t mean you’ll have financial challenges. Certainly, you can’t assume that someone else will have specific issues because of their condition. However, if you deal with mental health issues, it can be helpful to know what some of the common money issues might be so that you can keep an eye out for them in your own life.

Your mental health has a profound impact on other aspects of your life, including your finances. Although we often joke around about taking a mental health day, most of us could benefit from one from time-to-time.

“Fake” Sick Days

Most of us throw around the words “mental health day” like they are a joke. The benefits of taking a day for yourself are just as big as taking a day to recover from illness. In fact, even though most folks have paid vacation and sick leave, they don’t take advantage of it.

However, mental health days are truly important to your overall well-being, whether you realize it or not. If you have the ability to take a day off and tend to your personal needs, you should, especially if you’re experiencing any of these signs.

Signs You Need a Mental Health Day

Everyone has hit a wall where they feel like they need a vacation. Once you’ve got there, it is typically a breaking point though. Usually, there are a few signs you need to take a day off before you reach your wit’s end.

1. Your sleep schedule isn’t right.

If you have been having trouble sleeping or have been sleeping at odd hours, consider taking a day off. Taking the day to rest and reset your body’s clock can make all the difference in the world for your mental health and overall sense of well-being.

2. You seem to be struggling to control your emotions.

When your mental health needs attention sometimes you’ll have trouble controlling your emotions. You may find yourself crying more than usual or having mood swings. If this is the case, consider taking a day to unplug and relax. Do a few of your favorite things.

3. You have a low tolerance for the presence of others.

Another sign of a much-needed mental health day is an overall low tolerance being around others. Small things that normally wouldn’t bother you are getting under your skin and it seems everyone in the workplace’s main goal is to drive you insane. If that’s the case, stay home and stay to yourself for a day. Watch some of your favorite movies, take naps, eat your favorite foods, and unplug from technology.

4. You find yourself having to talk yourself into going in.

If you have been sitting in your car outside of work considering whether or not you should go in, you are probably in need of a mental health day. Sometimes the stresses of our jobs can get to us. Maybe you haven’t had the time to do other things that are important to you. Whatever the case may be, this is a sign that you need to cash in a PTO day and stay home.

5. There’s a lack of enjoyment in everything you do.

This is a sign you are starting to slip into a depression. If you aren’t enjoying anything and have no enjoyment in the workplace, it is time for a day off! Maybe even make it a Monday or Friday to get the benefits of a three-day weekend.

6. Making any kind of decision seems daunting.

If decisions seem to cause immense anxiety, you need a day off. Stress and being overworked can often add to anxiety and make regular everyday tasks seem daunting. Stay home for the day and take it easy.

7. Focusing on anything seems impossible.

When you are so overwhelmed by your own mental health and environment, focusing can be difficult. If this seems to be happening to you, take a day off to regroup. Practice self-care in the form of organizing, planning, and doing things that will make focus a bit easier.

8. Your health has been suffering.

Sometimes stress and mental health problems can take a serious toll on your physical well-being as well. Stress, anxiety, and being overworked can cause your immune system to be compromised and lead you to fall ill more often. If you find yourself catching the common cold a little too often, it may be time for a vacation!

9. You genuinely can’t remember the last time you took time off.

We all know someone that works so much they can’t really remember the last time they took actual time off. If that’s you, take a day now! You have no idea what benefits taking a single day off can have for your health and even your productivity at work.

These are just a few signs that you may be in need of a mental health day. If you’re feeling at all overwhelmed, consider taking a day off for yourself. When you come back refreshed and able to conquer your tasks in a productiv manner, you’ll be glad you did. Heck, you might even get a raise…

Spanking has been the center of debate since the early 2000s. Many people believe spanking is unnecessary and some even consider it child abuse. Now, groups are calling for a ban on spanking altogether because of its potential impact on kids’ mental health.

The Great Spanking Debate

Parents have long debated whether or not spanking was an acceptable method of discipline for their children. If you’re reading this as an adult, chances are you were spanked as a child. Despite numerous studies pointing to spanking as a harmful practice, most parents think, “Well, I turned out okay.”

Of 1,000 parents surveyed, 22 percent said they spanked their children once a week or more. Thirty-one percent say they have spanked their kids at least once. Additionally, parents with toddlers are much less likely to feel bad about spanking their children… but, should they?

Effectiveness of Spanking

While those who still use spanking as a consequence for bad behavior quote its effectiveness as the reason why spanking actually proves to be less effective than non-violent manners of discipline. One study found three-year-olds who were spanked twice a month or more were 50 percent more likely to act out.

“We’re constantly discovering new risks associated with the act of spanking — like increased anxiety and a number of other mental-health problems — which makes the ‘It worked for me’ argument outdated,” stated Catherine Taylor, Ph.D., a professor of global community health and behavioral sciences.

Most parents who spank their children were spanked themselves, and so on. When it boils down to it, spankers breed spankers. If you were spanked as a child, it is more likely you’ll end up spanking your kids at some point.

But before you do, you should know the impact it may have on your kids’ mental health. Like secondhand smoke, seat belts, and lead-based paint, spanking has had a negative impact on your child’s long-term health.

Impact on Kids’ Mental Health

There have been a number of groups and organizations that have come forward against spanking for a number of reasons. Most recently, the American Psychological Association joined that list of organizations, citing short and long-term harm to children.

This isn’t the first warning by APA officials either. The association has long warned parents against physical discipline and its potential impact. As mentioned above, it leads to an increase in behavior problems.

Children who are spanked are also more likely to be aggressive, develop depression, and have relationship problems later in life. A 2017 study found children who were spanked are also more likely to commit dating violence than others.

“The research on the adverse outcomes associated with physical discipline indicates that any perceived short-term benefits of physical discipline do not outweigh the detriments of this form of discipline,” the group wrote in its statement.

Instead of spanking, consider using one of the APA recommended “positive” disciplinary actions. These include things like time-outs, withholding items, warnings, and ignoring any misbehavior.

“The use of physical punishment on children has been declining in the United States over the past 50 years,” APA President Rosie Phillips Davis said. “We hope that this resolution will make more parents and caregivers aware that other forms of discipline are effective and even more likely to result in the behaviors they want to see in their children.”

Readers, were you spanked as a child? Do you think it had a profound impact on your mental health?

Netflix made a fantastic call when it debuted Tidying Up With Marie Kondo at the first of the year. Many people vow to declutter, lose weight, get more organized, and improve their lives at the beginning of each year. While each resolution has the potential to positively impact your life, there are a few significant mental health benefits of tidying up.

Mental Health in the U.S.

Serious mental illness costs the United States more than $1.93 billion in lost earnings each year. In fact, depression is the number one leading cause of disability worldwide. Mental health has a huge impact on the economy, not to mention the lives of millions of people. Check out the infographic below for more mental health statistics.

There’s no doubt that some of the numbers detailed above are unsettling. Doctors, researchers, and scientists are constantly looking for natural ways to better manage mental health. Could the Marie Kondo method of decluttering benefit your mental health?

What Are the Mental Health Benefits of Tidying Up?

Your living space heavily impacts your mental health. If you are constantly in a space that is cluttered or dirty, you are less likely to feel good. Not only that, but it has been proven that organization can have the following positive impacts on mental health.

Organization helps you think more clearly and you won’t get frustrated as easily. When you declutter your space, you declutter your mind as well. You’ll find yourself being more productive and able to think more clearly in your new clean space.

Decluttering and tidying up shows you care about yourself. Tidying up is another way to practice self-care. When you clean your living space, you show you care about yourself.

When you go to clean up, it isn’t as difficult because things are already tidy. This is one of the biggest perks of tidying up and decluttering. Any time you go to do your regular household chores it doesn’t take as long because there is no clutter to move around or go through.

You feel satisfied after you’ve cleaned up and organized. It feels great when you step back and look at your newly organized closet or desk.

Many people find themselves to be more efficient. When you organize your space, it can make things way more efficient. You’ll find yourself knowing where things are and your day-to-day activities moving faster.

Having an organized mind can lead to further positive change in other aspects of life. Once you tidy up, declutter, and get organized, you’ll probably find you are more organized and excelling in other areas of life as well. What is better for your mental health than to continue to improve?

With more than 44 million American adults suffering from some kind of mental health condition, it is important to find ways to improve your mindset on a day-to-day basis. Consider the mental health benefits of tidying up and how much it could save you.

More investors are beginning to look into putting stock in cannabis sales as the popularity of the legalization of marijuana continues to rise. In fact, the cannabis market is slated to grow 38 percent in 2019 to $16.9 billion. However, not many people have looked into what impact smoking or eating cannabis has on your mental health.

The Impact of Cannabis on Mental Health

When it comes down to how cannabis may impact your overall mental health, there honestly isn’t enough evidence to support one idea or another. This is because the cannabis plant contains more than 500 chemical constituents. Not every strain will have the same effect.

More than 100 of the identified chemical constituents in the cannabis plant are cannabinoids. These chemicals impact the user both mentally and physically, and not always in the best way.

Many doctors and other health officials are optimistic about the use of cannabis in the future for treating various ailments, including mental health. Cannabis has been praised for being an effective way to treat psychiatric conditions like depression, anxiety, and even addiction. However, there hasn’t been enough evidence to support those claims yet.

Cannabis and Mental Health Findings Conflict

There is a significant gap in factual evidence supporting the idea that cannabis can/will help your mental health. Even though many people have touted on its potential, most of the findings studying the impact of cannabis on mental health conflict with one another.

No doubt has been placed on the fact that the endocannabinoid system plays a role in regulating your mood. When it comes to cannabis’ impact on depression, however, no randomized trials support the use of marijuana in the treatment of depressive disorders. Findings support the contrary actually.

Two of the best-known cannabinoids (THC and CBD) have had the most mainstream attention. While they are both present in marijuana, both have different effects on the body and mind. THC, which you get when you smoke or otherwise ingest marijuana, has actually been shown to produce anxiety and psychotic features (especially at higher doses). CBD, on the other hand, has antipsychotic effects.

Many doctors warn against self-medicating with marijuana but push for cannabis-based medicines to treat it. In reality, though, none of the previous findings are good enough to support cannabis treatment for mental health or addiction.

Do Cannabis Users Need to Be Concerned?

Obviously, there is probably some kind of health impact we haven’t seen yet that will likely be tied to cannabis use. For folks who smoke (or ingest) cannabis occasionally, it is relatively safe with little-to-no health effects.

Individuals with mental health or addiction concerns may find cannabis to be both helpful and a hindrance. The motive behind a person’s cannabis use is also important. People trying to escape from something who use cannabis will likely experience difficulty with mental health and possibly even addiction.

All in all, even though cannabis can be helpful for some, it can have a negative impact on individuals with depression, anxiety, addiction, and other conditions people have praised cannabis for curing.

Too Soon to Tell

So, yes. It is still too soon to tell. There are no solid reports out there supporting the fact that cannabis will have a positive impact on your mental health. More often than not, findings have sent mixed messages.

As support for legalization across the U.S. grows, it will be interesting to see if studies find whether cannabis has a positive or negative impact on your overall mental health.

What do you think? Does cannabis have a negative impact on your mental health?

At the beginning of the year, everyone is looking for something to better about themselves. While 71% of Americans who made resolutions resolved to focus on diet and exercise in 2019, it turns out more people may be interested in improving their mental health. According to recent data released from Barnes and Noble bookstores, mental health books are outselling those centered around diet and exercise.

Why Mental Health Books

Throughout the New Year’s season, Barnes and Noble collected data from its customers to predict what books may be popular in the year to come. It was collected from purchases made on Barnes and Noble’s websites and within its retail store locations from December 16 through January 5. What the bookstore found in its data was that more readers seem to be focused on reducing stress and increasing self-esteem than they are on losing weight.

This is a change in the usual trend, according to Liz Harwell, the senior director of merchandising for trade books. “Books related to self-improvement are always in high demand around the new year, but in a recent shift, books focused on mental well-being are far outpacing titles addressing exercise and dieting,” she said.

Across the chain of bookstores, more people are buying material about mental and emotional well-being than ever before. Whereas in previous years, January typically brought a peak in sales for diet and exercise books.

The Most Popular Books

If you’re interested in improving your mental health in the new year, you may be wondering what people are buying from Barnes and Noble. Below are the most popular mental health books being sold this year.

Barnes and Noble isn’t the only bookseller noticing a change in trends this year either. Amazon has also listed each of these among its top 20 list of bestselling books.

Other Lifestyle Change Books

That isn’t to say the popularity of diet and exercise literature has completely faded out. Amongst Barnes and Noble customers, physical health books were still popular. However, most of the health and wellness books sold seemed to focus solely on healthy eating.

When it comes down to it, if you want to really see a positive change in your life you will need to educate yourself on how to improve. Those wanting to seriously change their finances usually turn to a Dave Ramsey novel or another critically-acclaimed personal finance book. What is interesting is to see America’s focus switch from physical to mental and emotional well-being.